HILLSBOROUGH TOWNSHIP, NJ (Somerset County) – A middle school teacher in Clark Township is accused of distributing child sexual abuse material in Hillsborough Township, according to Somerset County Prosecutor John P. McDonald.
McDonald stated that the New Jersey State Police Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force notified the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office of a Cyber Tipline Report concerning the possession and distribution of files depicting the sexual abuse and/or exploitation of a minor via a social media and messaging platform.
Upon receiving this Cyber Tipline Report, an investigation was initiated by detectives assigned to the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Special Investigations Unit, McDonald said.
The investigation led to the identification of Matthew Serwedes, 48, of Hillsborough Township, as the suspect responsible for uploading and distributing the files depicting the sexual abuse and/or exploitation of a minor via the social media and messaging platform, McDonald said.
On Tuesday, February 25, Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Special Investigations Unit detectives, along with members of the Hillsborough Township Police Department, executed a Superior Court search warrant at Serwedes’ residence. As a result of the search warrant, electronic devices were seized for further forensic analysis, McDonald said.
Serwedes was taken into custody without incident and charged with second-degree distribution of child sexual abuse materials and third-degree possession of child sexual abuse materials. He was lodged in the Somerset County Jail pending a detention hearing, McDonald said.
“A preliminary investigation has not revealed any threats or concerns to Serwedes’ students,” McDonald said.
The investigation remains ongoing by the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Special Investigation Unit, McDonald added.
Anyone with information relating to this investigation to contact the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Special Investigations Unit at 908-231-7100 or the Hillsborough Township Police Department at 908-369-4323 or via the STOPit app. The STOPit app allows citizens to provide anonymous reports including videos and photos. STOPit can be downloaded to your smart phone for free at the Google Play Store or Apple App Store, access code: SOMERSETNJ. Information can also be provided through the Somerset County Crime Stoppers’ Tip Line at 1-888-577-TIPS (8477). All anonymous STOPit reports, and Crime Stopper tips will be kept confidential.
